Artificial nail containing liquid

ABSTRACT

An artificial fingernail is molded to contain liquid. According to the invention, the edge of a first layer is joined to the edge of a second layer. A liquid portion is positioned in between the first layer and the second layer. The color and composition of the liquid portion, along with decorative objects placed in the liquid portion, produce a desired cosmetic effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates in general to artificial fingernails andtoenails. More particularly, this invention relates to an artificialnail containing liquid to produce a desired cosmetic effect.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Artificial nails are frequently used to enhance the appearance ofnatural fingernails and toenails. An artificial nail is usually a thin,plastic material applied on top of a natural fingernail or toenail. Theplastic material typically has color similar to a natural nail.Artificial nails are manufactured in numerous shapes and sizes toaccommodate the natural nails of different people.

[0005] After applying an artificial nail, nail polish or adhesivedesigns can be applied to the nail to produce a desired cosmetic effect.For example, bright-colored nail polish can be used to decorate theartificial fingernail. In addition, small stickers or painted designscan be applied to further embellish the nail.

[0006] Artificial fingernails and toenails pose two considerableproblems. First, decorative methods such as nail polish, paint, oradhesives require significant care, skill, and time to apply.Additionally, only the outside surface of an artificial nail can bedecorated, limiting the possibilities of cosmetic effects.

[0007] Accordingly, there is need for an artificial nail manufacturedcapable of achieving a decorative design without having to exercise thedegree of care, skill, and time typically needed. In addition, there isneed for an artificial nail with different decorative designs.

[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,813, Carroll discloses an artificialfingernail molded with an inlay on its top surface. In a preferredembodiment, the fingernail is colored to simulate the style of a Frenchfingernail, with lighter colored cuticle and tip end portions and adarker color central portion. According to the invention, afingernail-shaped base member is molded of a first, lighter color,preferably translucent, and an inlay of a second, darker color,preferably opaque, is molded into a top surface of the base member toproduce areas of different color resulting in the desired fingernailstyle. Secure attachment of the inlay to the base member is insured byprovision of a mechanical lock between the base member and the inlay.

[0009] Unlike Carroll, the present invention has a liquid layer thatadds to the cosmetic design of the nail. Carroll uses an inlay, which isnot liquid, to increase decorative appeal. Carroll cannot achieve thecosmetic effect associated with liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide anartificial nail with a cosmetic design incorporated into it.

[0011] A second object of the invention is to provide an artificial nailwith more than one layer.

[0012] A third object of the invention is to provide an artificial nailwith a liquid portion.

[0013] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, theinvention provides an artificial fingernail molded to contain liquid.According to the invention, the edge of a first layer is joined to theedge of a second layer. A liquid portion is positioned in between thefirst layer and the second layer. The color and composition of theliquid portion, along with decorative objects placed in the liquidportion, produce a desired cosmetic effect.

[0014] Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an artificial fingernail produced inaccordance with the invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as combined witha natural fingernail in an assembly according to the invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a top view of a second embodiment as combined with anatural fingernail in an assembly according to the invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, a side plan view of an artificialfingernail 10 produced in accordance with the invention is shown.Artificial nail 10 is formed with a top layer 12, a bottom layer 11 anda liquid portion 14 occupying the clearance area between the two layers.

[0020] Still referring to FIG. 1, liquid portion 14 may includedecorative objects 13 made of plastic, paper, or other material.Decorative objects 13 come in a variety of shapes, including stars,circles, polygons, and hearts. In addition, different colors, levels ofclarity, and levels of viscosity for liquid portion 14 may be used.Levels of clarity range from transparent to fluorescent to opaque.Fluorescent material is used for luminescence in the dark. Liquids ofdifferent viscosity include thinner liquids like water, liquids like oiland thicker gravy-like liquids. Furthermore, liquid portion 14 mayinclude air to allow for the movement of liquid and decorative objects13. A combination of air, water and other liquids, along with anassigned color for each liquid, may also be used to produce a desiredcosmetic effect.

[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, top layer 12 and bottom layer 11 may bemolded out of a completely transparent material or a translucentmaterial simulating the natural color of a natural fingernail. Thetransparent nature allows liquid portion 14 to be seen through top layer12. Top layer 12 and bottom layer 11 may comprise those materialscommonly employed in the manufacture of artificial fingernails, i.e.,ABS plastic, nylon, or vinyl acetate.

[0022] Still referring to FIG. 1, top layer 12 or bottom layer 11 may bea transparent color. Alternatively, top layer 12 or bottom layer 11 maybe a solid color. Any combination of colors and transparencies for toplayer 12 and bottom layer 11 can be used to produce a desired cosmeticeffect.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, a front plan view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 is shown. Top layer 12 and bottom, layer 11 form the shape of anatural fingernail, allowing for a proper fit with a natural fingernail.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1as combined with a natural fingernail in an assembly according to theinvention is shown. The edge of top layer 12 and the edge of bottomlayer 11 are joined along border 21 by glueing, melting or otherwiseattaching the two edges. If liquid portion 14 contains air, movement offinger 20 will cause liquid portion 14 and decorative objects to movewithin artificial fingernail 10. If liquid portion 14 does not containair, liquid portion 14 may not move within artificial fingernail 10, butdecorative objects 13 may still move within liquid portion 14.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the area formed between top layer12 and bottom layer 11 may contain air and no liquid. Decorative objects13 may be placed and can move within the chamber formed by joining toplayer 12 to bottom layer 11.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 4, a top view of a second embodiment ascombined with a natural fingernail in an assembly according to theinvention is shown. In this embodiment, liquid portion 14 only occupiesthe area covering finger 20. Nail tip 30 does not contain liquid.Instead, nail tip 30 is solid, with no space between top layer 12 andbottom layer 11. Nail tip 30 may be thinner than the area coveringfinger 20.

[0027] Still referring to FIG. 4, nail tip 30 may be molded out of atranslucent material simulating the natural color of a naturalfingernail. Nail tip 30 may comprise those materials commonly employedin the manufacture of artificial fingernails, i.e., ABS plastic, nylon,or vinyl acetate.

[0028] Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those skilledin the art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. For example, the present invention may beused with equal success in the application of artificial toenails. It isintended that the specification and examples to be considered asexemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention beingindicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An artificial nail for use on a natural nailcomprising: a first layer having a first edge; a second layer having asecond edge, the first edge being joined to the second edge; and aliquid portion positioned in between the first layer and the secondlayer.
 2. The artificial nail according to claim 1 wherein the secondlayer affixes to the natural nail.
 3. The artificial nail according toclaim 1 wherein the first layer is clear.
 4. The artificial nailaccording to claim 1 wherein the first layer is opaque.
 5. Theartificial nail according to claim 1 wherein the first layer is colored.6. The artificial nail according to claim 1 wherein the second layer isclear.
 7. The artificial nail according to claim 1 wherein the secondlayer is opaque.
 8. The artificial nail according to claim 1 wherein thesecond layer is colored.
 9. The artificial nail according to claim 1wherein an adhesive joins the first edge and the second edge to seal inthe liquid portion.
 10. The artificial nail according to claim 1 whereinthe first edge is melted to the second edge to seal in the liquidportion.
 11. The artificial nail according to claim 1 wherein the liquidportion is colored.
 12. The artificial nail according to claim 1 whereinthe liquid portion is transparent.
 13. The artificial nail according toclaim 1 wherein the liquid portion is opaque.
 14. The artificial nailaccording to claim 1 wherein the liquid portion is a gravy material. 15.The artificial nail according to claim 1 wherein the liquid portion is acombination of two or more liquids.
 16. The artificial nail according toclaim 1 wherein the liquid portion is a fluorescent material.
 17. Theartificial nail according to claim 1 wherein the liquid portion furthercomprises decorative objects.
 18. The artificial nail according to claim1 wherein the liquid portion further comprises air to allow formovement.
 19. The artificial nail according to claim 1 furthercomprising a nail tip with no liquid contained therein.
 20. Anartificial nail for use on a natural nail comprising: a first layerhaving a first edge; a second layer having a second edge, the first edgebeing joined to the second edge; and a set of decorative objectspositioned in between the first layer and the second layer.